Italy coach Roberto Mancini criticized the decision of the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) to increase the number of teams participating in the next edition of the World Cup in 2026 to 48 teams.
Mancini said Monday, “We have to reduce the number of matches played by the players. As for here, we increase the number significantly, while we have to reduce it so that the players can catch their breath a bit.”
He added, “We will reach a moment when the players will be very exhausted.”
Mancini has a contract with the Italian Federation until 2026, when the World Cup will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, where 48 teams will participate in this version instead of 32, bringing the number of matches from 64 to 104.
According to the new system, the teams will be divided into 12 groups of 4 teams, provided that the first and second of each group, in addition to the best 8 teams that occupy third place in their groups, qualify for the round of 32.
The semi-finalists will also play eight matches instead of seven, as happened in the last edition of the World Cup.